Bag stacking and bundling machine



March 28, 1950 B. GlLOWlTZ v BAG STACKING AND BUNDLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1948 4/forncy;

March 28, 1950 B. GILQWITZ 2,502,374

BAG STACKING AND BUNDLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Affornga March 28, 1950 B. GILOWITZ BAG STACKING AND BUNDLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 2, 1948 Affvrnay:

March 28 1950 BJGILOWITZ A 2,502,374

BAG STACKING AND BUNDLING MACHINE Fi l ed Noir. 2, 194a 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ##orng s March 28, 1950 B. slpowl'rz 2,502,374

BAG STACKING AND BUNDLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5- Patented Mar. 28, 1950 OFFICE BAG STACKING AND BUNDLING MACHINE Benjamin Gilowitz, Bronx, N. Y., assignor of fifty per cent to Albert Friedberg, Mount Vernon,

Application November 2, 1948, Serial No. 57,921

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a bag stacking and bundling machine, and has as its primary object the provision of apparatus for the stacking and forming into bundles of bags or similar articles fed thereto eithe mechanically or manually.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this nature whereby bags of cellophane or other material are adapted to .be fed to a conveyer belt in predetermined numbered quantity, moved by the conveyer belt, aligned or stacked, and then fed to a binding tape in stacked relation.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means in association with such a device fo feeding binding tape in predetermined lengths to a stack or quantity of bags or other flat articles to be bundled.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of means for applying glue or similar adhesive to an end of the tape simultaneously with the stacking and bundling operation to facilitate sealing of the tape about the bundle.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of means in association therewith whereby various types of bags or similar articles of different sizes may be readily handled by the machine.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a bag stacking and bundling machine particularly adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a bag-making machine of any suitable type. One type machine particularly adaptable for such use is the Roto bag machine manufactured by the Roto Bag Machine Corporation of 310 East Twenty-second Street, New York city, New York. The Roto bag machineis adapted for the forming of bags from heat-sealed coated materials such as cellophane, aluminum foil and the like, and is of a construction adapted to fabricated bags or envelopes of such material and seal the seams by the application of heat, feeding the articles outwardly of the machine as formed.

Still other objects reside in the provision of a device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eiiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of apparatus embodying the invention, parts at one end of the machine being broken away.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, portions thereof being broken away and other parts omitted.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3, and taken along the same section line, but disclosing certain of the operative parts in a different position of adjustment.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially alon the line 1-! of Figure 4 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure '7 as Viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention is comprised of a framework including four upright supports it] of wood, metal or other material, positioned to form a rectangle, and adapted for the support of an intermediately positioned table generally indicated at H. The table l I includes longitudinally extending channel members I2, connecting adjacent posts, while transversely extending members [3 connect the lower extremities of op-' positely disposed posts Iii, and additional transverse channel member M connects on pair of posts It, hereinafter referred to as the rear posts. The other pair of posts Ill, hereinafter referred to as the front posts are connected at an intermediate point above table H by means of an angle iron member 115. A longitudinally extending angle iron member it extends from one or rear posts It to the aligned forward post i ll. Extending rearwardly from the other post it is a horizontal plate H, to the end of which is secured, as by rivets IS, a transverse plate 89, the opposite extremity of which is secured, as by rivets 20, to the horizontal portion or angle iron member [6. It will now be seen that there is provided a sturdy substantial rectangular frame aeoaaw.

adapted for the support of table I l, and provided at one side with an open space extending from the extremity of member ll to channel id at one side thereof, the purpose of which open space will be more fully described hereinafter.

Referring back to the table H, it will be seen that a plate or sheet extends transversely be tween longitudinally extending channel member l2, to provide a support for an endless belt 26, mounted for rotation on front and rear axles 21 and 28 respectively, the latter being suitably journalled in uprights or posts Hi, extending transversely between the front and rear posts respectively. One of the axles, for example axle 21, is adapted to be driven in any desired manner, as for example by a sprocket 29 and chain 30, in such manner as to rotate belt 25 so that its upper surface moves in a direction toward front posts ill. While the chain 38 may be driven in any desired manner, when the apparatus is utilized in conjunction with the above mentioned Roto bag machine it may be driven by the motor of the latter in such manner that the speed of travel of the belt is synchronized with the bag making machine, for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. Conversely the apparatus may be driven by its own motor or if desired by a hand crank (not shown) which may be substituted for the sprocket 29.

Journal cover plates 3! secured to posts l8 as by means of screws 32 are preferably employed to hold axles 2? and 28 in related assembly with their associated journals in the posts 59.

Belt 26 is provided with a plurality of transverse rows of lugs or fingers 35. As shown in the drawing, there are two rows and each row has three lugs transversely aligned across the belt. Each of the lugs 35 extends a substantial distance perpendicularly of the belt 226, and is provided at its upper extremity with a beveled or inclined surface 36, the direction of inclination being downward from the rear of the apparatus towards the front. Lugs 35 may be made of any desired material and secured in any desired manher to the endless belt which is preferably made of canvas although other materials may be used. The belt 26 also carries a single, centrally and circumferentially extending row of relatively closely spaced rectangular lugs 3'] of any suitable material and secured in any desired manner for a purpose which will be more fully described hereinafter.

A bag, envelope, or other article supporting table, generally indicated at to, is positioned directly above belt 29, and is comprised of outer longitudinally extending channel members l l oppositely disposed and between which extend horizontally spaced strips 42. As best shown in Figure 3 members M and 32 extend a substantial distance forwardly and rearwardly of axles 2-! and 28 respectively. The forward extremities of the members 4i and t2 are secured to transversely extending plates 43 and 43a extending across the top of an arcuate casing member 4d, the latter including end plates 45 secured as by angle iron members 436 and rivets ll and 43 to front posts 50. As shown in Figure 2 the strips All and 32 are spaced apart by filler plates also secured to the plates or strips "53 and we. The upper surfaces of plates 5%, strips t2 and the horizontal flanges of angle strips i! are in the same horizontal plane to provide a flat surface over which a stack of bags may be slid as later explained. Plates 59 extend rearwardly only to a point substantially ad jacent the forward extremity of front posts The rear extremities of members 4! and 32. are sup-ported by a transversely extending plate or strip 55, and are secured thereto by rivets 52. The plate 5| is positioned in a transversely extending arcuate guard or casing member 53, which includes end plates 5d. The latter are each secured by rivets 55 to one flange of an angle iron 5%, the other flanges of which are secured by fastenings El to the rear posts ill.

Secured to the horizontal flange of each member ll and each strip '52 at a point adjacent the forward sides of rear posts it are a plurality of spaced but aligned angle iron member The horizontal flanges of the short angle members Eli are secured by rivets ti on the strips and 32. The vertical flange of each member 5i} has secured thereto by rivets the lower extremity of a depending plate 63 of a width equal to the width of the strips 42 and the horizontal flanges of the members 42 as seen in Figure 5. It is here pointed out that the horizontal flanges of members t! and strips 42 are substantially equal in width. The upper extremities of the transverse row of plates 63 are secured as b means of rivets 5 to the forward depending flange of channel member i l.

The operation of that portion of the machine so far described should now be readily understandable. Bags, envelopes or the like are fed onto the table comprised of members t! and 22 through the opening in the side of the apparatus adjacent thesprocket wheel 29, that is, between the plates 5i and plates The bags ma be thrown in by hand or may be discharged by a bag makin machine directly into the devi e adjacent the plates 63 one after another so that they form more or less of a pile or stack on the strips or members ll and d2. Rotation of belt 2% will now cause a row of aligned fingers 35 to abut the rear edges of the bags, thus aligning their edges transversely of the apparatus, and moving them forwardly, as for example, from the position disclosed in Figure 3 wherein the bags are designated by the reference character 70, to the position as shown in Figure 6, from which latter position they may be moved for further operation in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Figure 5 discloses in dotted lines the relative position of bag H3 during insertion into the apparatus.

Means are provided for accommodating the apparatus to difierent sizes of bags, and may take the form of mechanism generall indicated at H adapted for the accommodation of bags of various lengths, the length illustratively being considered as the dimension of the bag transversel of the apparatus. Further means are provided and generally indicated at it for the accommodation of bags of various widths, the width of the bag being considered for illustrative purposes as that dimension of the bag extending longitudinally of the apparatus. Referrinng first to the mechanism 7!, there is disclosed in Figure 2 an L-shaped bracket plate it, one end of which is secured as a fastening '15 to the horizontal flange of member 56, and the opposite extremity of which is secured as by a fastening Tl to the horizontal portion of member ill. The transversely extending leg of L-shaped member '15 is channel-shaped and extends a substantial distance across belt 26. Its top is provided with a slot '58, in which is adapted to move a set screw the latter extending through a channehshaped member 8t which telescopes and is slidable along the member ?5. A nut We in channel member 55 engages screw '19 permitting locking of the parts. Secured to opposite sides of the depending flanges of channel-shaped member '80 are angle brackets 8|, in aligned relation, which brackets are in turn secured to a vertically positioned bag stop plate 82. Plate 82 is of generally rectangular shape havin its rear vertical edge disposed to clear the plates or strips 63 and its bottom edge to clear strips GI and 42. At its lower end is an extension or flange '83. It will now be seen that bags entering the apparatus in the manner previously described will abut the plate 02 and its extension 83, thus aligning them transversely of the apparatus. Obviously the plate 82 may be positioned in desired relationship transversel of the apparatus to accommodate a desired length of bags, it being noted that the plate must be positioned above either one of strips 42 or the horizontal flange of member M, in order to prevent interference with the free passage of lugs 35.

Referring now to the mechanism generally indicated at I2 for the accommodation of bags of various widths, it will be seen that there is provided a plurality of spaced parallel longitudinally extending strips 85 having arcuate and upwardly turned extremities 86. Each outermost strip 85 has secured thereto the horizontal flange of an angle iron member 81, the vertical flange of which is adapted to be positioned exteriorly of the vertical flange of adjacent member 4! for longitudinal sliding movement there-along. The front extremities of strips 85 are held in aligned related assembly by means of a transverse strip '08 secured to each of members 85 as by a rivet 80 (see Figure 6). The rear extremities of the members 05 are secured in related assembly as by means of rivets 0!: extending through a transversely extending strip SI positioned a substantial distance above members 85 by means of spacing collars 92. It will thus be seen that the assembly comprised of connected strips 85 may be moved longitudinally along the members 4|, and thus be suitably positioned to accommodate various widths of bags, envelopes or the like.

Means are provided for applying binding tape or the like to the package of bags passed forwardly of the machine by lugs 35, the package being moved longitudinally of members 4! and 42 and beneath plates 85 by the lugs in the manner previously described. The tape applying means may take the form of an inverted U-shaped bracket member 95, the depending legs of which are secured as by rivets 96 to the outer sides of the forward posts I0 as shown in Figure 4. Centrally positioned on the horizontal portion of member 95 is a pair of oppositely disposed spool mounting brackets 01, the securing means taking the form of nuts and bolts 98. Extending between the upper extremities of bracket 91 is an axle 09, which carries inwardly of the bracket a pair of spaced serrated or toothed wheels I00, between which is fixed a spool carrying a roll of tape IEII adapted to be positioned about the packages of bags. The tape I [II extends downwardly through a vertical guide bracket I02 secured to the vertical flange of transverse member I5, and thence forwardly to a horizontally positioned guide Iili carried by a transverse plate I04 extending between. the two intermediate plates 85. The guide I523 is in the form of a rectangular plate secured at one of its corners by a rivet as shown in Figure 2, to the plate I04 and with a small spacer beneath it so that the guide plate I03 is spaced slightly above plate I04. The tape may therefore be readily slid laterally beneath the guide plate. From the guide -I 03 the tape is then adapted to pass downwardly between the members to a second guide I05 which is similar to I 03 and positioned on the bottom of plate 43a, as seen in Figure 3. From guide I05 the tape I0! extends further downwardly to a guide I06 carried by an adhesive dispensing member generally indicated III'I and to be more fully described hereinafter. It may be here pointed out that all of the brackets or guides I02, I03, I05 and I06 take the form of extending lugs or plates spaced parallel to their adjacent supporting surfaces, and secured to such surfaces only at one end, whereby the tape may be inserted in each guide bracket from the open end with a minimum of effort and difficulty.

It will now be seen that as the bags are moved to the position disclosed in Figure 6, a sufficient quantity of tape, the tape having previously been passed through the above-mentioned guides, is unwound and extended by pressure of the bags from the reel or drum supported by the axle 90, to completely encircle the package of bags. Obviously the greater the width of the bags the more tape will be unrolled from the reel.

Means for stopping the rotation of the reel, and simultaneously severing the tape when a desired quantity has been unreeled are also provided. Such means may take the form of a series of fingers IIO provided with arcuate extremities I I I extending downwardly into the path of travel of lugs 35 (See Figure 4). Fingers H0 are integral with a swinging plate H2 hingedly secured as by means of hinge members H3 to a depending flange II 4 comprising a portion of member 05, the arrangement being such that abutment opt lugs 35 with fingers H0 will cause forward swinging movement of the plate I I 2. Secured to the central one of fingers H0 as by means of a rivet H5 is a curved arm II 6 provided at its upper extremity with a dog or pawl in the form of a transverse plate II! of a width slightly in excess of the space between serrated wheels I00. correspondingly secured to the central finger IIO adjacent the lower extremity of arm H0, is an L-shaped cutter carrying member H8 which in turn has secured to it a tape cutting knife blade H9. The parts H8, H9 and the finger H0 which carries them may swing down between the two central members 85 as seen in Figure 3. With the parts in the position as shown in Figure 3 it will be seen that member II! and blade IIS are in inoperative positions. However, when the parts move to the position disclosed in Figure 6 the lugs 35 abut the arcuate extremities III of the fingers H0, and move the locking dog I I? into engagement with the teeth of wheels I00, thus precluding further rotation of axle 99 and its associated tape reel. Simultaneously the movable knife blade H9 severs the tape as indicated in Figure 6 against or close to the edge of the horizontal flange of transverse member I5, the latter serving as a stationary cutter member.

It will be seen that the central finger H0 extends into the path of travel of lugs Bl, which upon striking its curved extremity tilts the above described assembly to a relatively small degree which is insuflicient to cause pawl ill or blade I I9 to become effective. However this oscillatory movement imparted to the plate I I2 and its associated fingers tends to cause said fingers to vertically align the bags II? by forcing them backwardly against the lugs or fingers 35 thus preeluding irregular alignment such as may occur in the event of one bag abutted by the lugs 35 pushing forward a previously deposited bag be- "F fore the latter is properly engaged and aligned by the lugs 35.

As previously stated means are also provided for supplying adhesive, such as liquid glue or the like, to the extremity of the tape. Such means takes the form of a brush holding member iii, comprised of a tube of rectangular cross-section slidably supported for longitudinal adjustment in an upright frame rising from the center of channel member 13. This frame comprises spaced brackets E23 riveted at 523 to member l3 and connected by an inclined plate l2! of U-shape as seen in Figure 8. The brush tube 920 is slidably supported in the U-shaped member iii beneath guide strips riveted to the upwardly projecting arms of lZl. It is frictionally held in adjusted position and may be adjusted endwise according to the width of the bags to be bundled. Each end of the member i251 is provided with a hinge :24 and IE5 respectively, hinge 525; being secured to a closure plate H6 adapted to close the rear open end of tube l2il, while hinge 125 is secured to a front closure plate i2? adapted to abut the bristles I28 of a brush 12b. The brush 529 is secured in a groove in a mounting block ltfl. The brush and its block are inserted in tube 52 through its rear end with the bristles i 28 extending outwardly beneath the cover 12's into juxtaposition with tape Hit and guide H36 (see Figures 7 and 3). Cover plate I21 is provided with a longitudinal slot 135 (see Figure 7) through which liquid adhesive may drop, as from a nozzle onto bristles i213 for application to the tape.

The brush head 28 is preferably a flat layer of relatively stiff bristles the free ends of which hold the tape iili against the ilat guide plate i536 as seen in Figure '7. The end of the tape may be readily inserted in the guide as above explained and will be held by the bristles, although the operator can easily pull the tape out and as he does so the bristles will coat the end of the tape with the adhesive. The nozzle or tube 5% depends from an adhesive supply container tube l3'i, which is pivotally suspended as by means of a pivot 538 from mounting brackets E39 secured to the lower surface of member M.

The container is swung to adjust it according to the location of slot E35 and it is frictionally held in its adjusted position by its pivotal connection. It will thus be seen that liquid adhesive may be applied drop by drop to the bristles i28, and thus a small quantity is applied to the end of tape illl in such manner that when the tape is wound about the package of bags iii the adhesive underside of tape it! may be applied by the operator directly to the opposite severed end of the tape after it has been positioned around the package.

From the foregoing the operation of the entire apparatus should now be readily understandable. The members H and 12 are first adjusted in the manner previously described to accommodate the size of bags to be fed to the apparatus. It will be noted that the stop plate 82, the vertical flange of strip ll at the open side of the frame, the vertical plates and the ends 85 of strips 85 define an entrance area for the bags or other articles, and that such entrance may be varied in size in two directions or dimensions by adjusting the parts 82 and 85. Rotation of belt 26 is then started, either mechanically or manually as may be desired, and the bags fed into the open side of the machine onto the supporting table 52 in the manner previously described. As one row of lugs 35 reaches the rear end of the stack of bags they are moved forwardly, as shown in Figure 3, beneath strips 85, the-curved extremities 86 thereof serving as guides and precluding the passage of bags thereover. The speed of the belt in relation to the speed of the feed mechanism, or manual feed serves to determine the number of bags posi tioned in advance of a row of lugs 35, and the entire assembly is moved forwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position disclosed in Figure 6. At this time tape it]! is extended in the manner previously described until the lugs 35 act on the coacting fingers Hi! to lock wheels I08 and move the blade I id to sever the tape, also as previously described. The stacked bags extend a substantial distance beyond the end of table members 4! and 52 at the time the tape is cut. The operator then brings the two ends of the tape together as the stack leaves the machine. Obviously it requires only a simple manual operation on the part of the operator to glue the gummed extremity of the tape ifii to the opposite extremity thereof so the tape will surround the package. It will be noted that for the sake of clearness, a portion of one of the plates or strips is broken away to show the engagement of one of the lugs 35 with the curved end of one of the fingers I I5, and in Figure 3 the fingered plate H2 is shown inclined slightly in a forward direction.

Any kind of tape may be used and in some instances the glue need not be used. In such cases the ends of the tape, cord or flexible binder would have to be tied together. It will therefore be understood that the term tape comprehends any flexible strand or strip which may be used to fasten the stack in a bundle. When the dog H! is not engaged with the wheels [80, the tape unwinds freely from the spool or reel but the operator may hold the tape above the guide mt as the discharging stack of bags unreel the tape or the lower end of the tape may be secured against movement in any other manner as the discharging stack extends the tape.

In order to repeat the operation it is simply necessary to pull the tape manually from its spool, pass the same through guides I02, 583, I05 and H36 in order to render the apparatus ready for bundling the next stack of bags.

While in the foregoing the device of the instant invention has been described as particularly applicable to bags or envelopes, it will be readily apparent that any suitable rectangular fiat articles may be handled by the machine.

As various embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as numerous modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, a supporting frame having an article entrance and an article exit, an endless belt r0- tatable in said frame, means for moving said belt, first lugs carried by said belt, a plurality of spaced article supporting strips carried by said frame above said belt, said first lugs being arranged for movement between said strips to move articles supported thereon from entrance to exit, tape carrying means on said frame, guide means to position said tape over said article exit for extension by articles passed therethrough, second lugs carried by said belt, pivotally mounted fingers carried by said frame and extending into the path of travel of said first and second lugs, and a tape cutting member carried by one of said pivotally mounted fingers for actuation by at least one of said first lugs, said second lugs 1mparting oscillatory movement to said fingers for vertical alignment of stacked articles moved by first lugs.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the first lugs are arranged in alignment across said endless belt to form a transverse row.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second lugs are closely spaced in a single centrally positioned row extending longitudinally or circumferentially of said endless belt.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the extremities of the pivotally mounted fingers are curved and said first lugs are provided with in- '10 clined extremities for coaction with the curved ends of said fingers.

BENJAMIN GILOWITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,649,327 Sheldon Nov. 15, 1927 1,842,185 Magill Jan. 19, 1932 2,109,527 Fenton Mar. 1, 1938 u FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 433,951 Ger-many Sept. 15, 1926 

